FHA unveils alternative fuel and electric charging network
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced 55 routes that will serve as the basis for a national network of “alternative fuel” corridors spanning 35 states. The network is nearly 85,000 miles long, and the DOT said that more miles will be added in the future to accommodate electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles as additional fueling and charging stations are built.
“Alternative fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the future of America’s transportation system,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We have a duty to help drivers identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and designating these corridors on our highways is a first step.”
Those corridors designated as “sign-ready,” meaning routes where alternative fuel stations are currently in operation, will be eligible to feature new signs alerting drivers where they can find fuel for their alternative fuel vehicles.
The DOT said that these signs are similar to existing signage that alerts drivers to gas stations, food, and lodging. The designation of these corridors fulfills a directive in the “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation” (FAST) Act.
“Identifying where alternative fueling stations can be found will help the public in many ways,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “This initial designation sets the stage for the next round of nominations early next year and begins a conversation with stakeholders about developing and implementing a vision to enable coast to coast travel using alternative fuels.”
The new alternative fuel corridor signs, and a list of the new sign-ready corridors, can be found on the FHWA website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/alternative_fuel_corridors.
